Dunedin
You just never know what characters you will run into in Dunedin. It could be someone celebrating Steampunk at Dunedin Railway Station, a scarfie on a pub run, or a food producer at the local farmers’ market, that’s the beauty of Dunedin.
It’s very welcoming to all visitors – no matter what walk of life.
One thing is clear – you must sample local produce, whether it be a visit to the locally community-owned OCHO Chocolate Factory (the horopito & kawakawa flavour is our favourite) or travel to the Hastie Brothers-owned Bay Rd Peanut Butter factory (we think it’s the best peanut butter in the south).
Or take a tour of Emerson’s Brewery where you can sample the ever-changing, limited-edition Brewer’s Reserve batch … you will not be disappointed.
Café culture is alive and well around this mural-adorned city.
Southland
Varied and quirky, a weekend away in Invercargill could see you visiting Chiaroni Gallery where Gregory McDonald, a Southland-born artist and Chiaroni descendant has reopened Invercargill’s original art gallery, first established by Ambrogio Chiaroni Snr.
The local artists’ work has an innovative Kiwi feel to it. Get your walking shoes on and head to the heritage-listed Category 1 Water Tower, a prime example of Victorian architecture and engineering, and a local treasure.
You can rev your engines when you view private truck and car museum, Bill Richardson Transport World with thousands of motor vehicles, motorcycles and petrol pumps, with a side exhibition of a wearable art collection which is displayed across this 15,000m2 lot.
This passionate lifetime collection is truly impressive.
For something different, pack your runners and get out for a run to Manapouri where Mother Nature is at her very best, and where you can take a boat tour on the island-studded Lake Manapouri or perhaps go kayaking and enjoy this unique corner of the world.
Christchurch
The indoor Riverside Market is open seven days and offers a great range of restaurants, cafés and bars with boutique retail shopping experiences.
Riverside Lanes has more shopping options alongside the Market and help make this a central hub within the city for both locals and visitors.
The pastel-painted New Regent Street is the best place for a drink where Alex Ricketts’ The Last Word whiskey and cocktail lounge extensive drinks list and snacks will have you wanting to return.
With over 360 whiskies onoffer, the difficult part is deciding what to order.
Head to Oxford Terrace for another world of spirits, cocktails and dining at Amazonita where the décor is like walking into a South American paradise.
Queenstown
Tourism has been the backbone of this picturesque part of the country for many years and will continue to be for many more to come.
Now is the time to experience Totally Tourism’s The Helicopter Line which operates scenic flights around this part of the country in Queenstown, Mount Cook, the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, plus heli-skiing, while Altitude Tours and BLACK ZQN specialise in bespoke sightseeing tours, offering private charters and luxury experiences for those wanting a world-class experience in their own backyard.
The best place to stay is the 5-star hotel, The Rees on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, offering a variety of hotel rooms, apartments and private lakeside residences.
With spectacular views across the lake, the much-awarded hotel has some of the very best food and wine experiences.
Photography: Matt Crawford & Kristian Frires
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